In 2018/19, Northland DHB, former Māori Health general manager Harold Wereta, undertook a number of consultation hui with whānau throughout the rohe. The key question asked was, “How do you see whānau in the future” . The vision from the hui became clear – for whānau to be happy, to be healthy, and to be heard.

The impetus to establish a funded Rongoā Māori service came from an overwhelming call from whānau and the community. While Rongoā Māori is not new, and in fact, a well-practised and well-used kaupapa, having it as an integral, funded health service pathway is new. “Access to Rongoā and tohunga were key planks in Māori society pre-European. However, post Europeanuropean settlement saw the dismantling and outlawing of tohunga and rongoā kaupapa.

For us in Northland returning to those things that were and are important not only to our wellbeing but in Northland, returning to those things that were and are important not only to our well-being but also to our identity is fantastic.

It’s been a privilege to be part of a kaupapa that has seen the Northland DHB structure hear and respond to the voices of whānau Māori, hapū and iwi in Te Tai Tokerau, ” said Marty Rogers, acting general manager of Māori Health.

The Northland DHB partnered with the Rongoā community to co-design the kaupapa across Te Tai Tokerau. Membership of this Rongoā Project group comprised of Taumata Rongoā, who governed and set the vision for the practice, the Ringawhakahaere team who worked hard to make that vision a reality, and Northland DHB and an independent project manager who built the framework for service provision.

The traditional practice of Rongoā Māori encompasses a holistic view of health and wellbeing, incorporating physical, spiritual, psychological and family aspects. The practice is uniquely designed to suit the individual and whānau who come through the doors.